Tropical skin issues prickly heat fungal rashes and chafing how do I prevent and treat them in the humidity
I have sensitive skin and the tropics worry me What skin issues should I expect in the heat and humidity here I have heard about prickly heat rash fungal skin problems and chafing on long sweaty days How do I PREVENT them what clothing and products help and if I do get prickly heat or a fungal rash how do I treat it what can I buy at a local pharmacy This is not an emergency just the everyday skin reality of a hot humid trip Travellers and anyone medical please advise
4 Answers from travellers
Nurse so the everyday tropical skin picture (general guidance not a substitute for a doctor if something is severe or infected) What to expect in the heat and humidity three common ones PRICKLY HEAT (heat rash a prickly itchy red rash where sweat is trapped common on the back chest and where clothing is tight) FUNGAL issues (the warm damp environment encourages fungal rashes in skin folds groin under arms feet athletes foot) and CHAFING (skin rubbing raw on long sweaty days inner thighs and where straps sit) PREVENTION the big one keep skin COOL DRY and AIRY loose breathable cotton and linen (not tight synthetics) shower and dry THOROUGHLY especially the skin folds and between the toes after sweating or swimming change out of damp sweaty or wet swim clothes promptly use a light dusting of talcum or a prickly heat powder (widely sold here and very effective) in prone areas an anti chafing balm or barrier cream on the thighs and friction spots before a long day stay hydrated TREATMENT if you get them PRICKLY HEAT cool the skin keep it dry and airy prickly heat powder and calamine soothe it it settles once the skin cools FUNGAL RASH an antifungal cream (clotrimazole and similar are cheap and available over the counter at any pharmacy) keep the area dry and airy CHAFING clean it a barrier or healing cream and let it breathe Local pharmacy your friend pharmacies (the green cross signs) are everywhere cheap and well stocked you can buy prickly heat powder antifungal creams antiseptic barrier creams and rehydration salts over the counter the pharmacist can advise on minor issues When to see a doctor if a rash is spreading badly very painful infected (oozing increasing redness) or not improving see a doctor (the private clinics are good and cheap) so to manage tropical skin keep cool dry and airy in loose cotton dry the folds well use prickly heat powder and anti chafing balm preventively and treat prickly heat by cooling and fungal rashes with a cheap pharmacy antifungal the everyday skin reality is very manageable with these simple habits
The local prickly heat powder is genuinely magic I was sceptical but a dusting before a hot day stopped the rash completely it is cheap and in every shop and pharmacy buy a tin early in the trip
The dry between your toes and do not stay in wet swim shorts advice prevents the foot fungus and the rash I learned the hard way change out of damp clothes promptly and air your feet it makes a real difference in the humidity
Keep cool dry and airy in loose cotton dry the folds well use prickly heat powder and anti chafing balm preventively and treat fungal rashes with a cheap pharmacy antifungal this is exactly the everyday skin reality I wanted knowing the pharmacies are well stocked reassures me thank you
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